Conversion of olefins using complexes of v or nb containing no with organoaluminums

ABSTRACT

A process for the conversion of olefinic hydrocarbons according to the olefin reaction including olefin disproportionation by contacting the olefinic hydrocarbon with a catalyst comprising a compound of vanadium or niobium complexed with NO and a selected complexing agent (e.g., benzoic acid) and combined with an organoaluminum compound (e.g., methylaluminum sesqui-chloride). The metal complexes which form a part of the catalysts are also claimed.

United States Patent Hughes et al. 1 Sept. 12, 1972 [54] CONVERSION OF OLEFINS USING 3,063,979 11/1962 Truett et al ..260/94.9 COMPLEXES ()F v ()R NB CONTAlNING 3,454,538 7/ 1969 Naarmann et a1. ..260/78.5 N0 WITH ORGANQALUMINUMS 3,294,828 12/1966 Werner ..260/429 3,444,149 5/1969 Kelly ..260/80.78 1 Inventors wllllam liushes; Ernest 3,054,754 9/1962 Lasky ..252/429 Zuech, both of clo Phillips Petroleum Co., Bartlesville, Okla. 74004 p i Examine, De]bel-t E. Gamz [22] Filed; Oct 12, 1970 Assistant Examiner--C. E. Spresser Attorney-Young and Quigg [21] Appl. No.: 80,230

Related [1.8. Application Data 57 ABSTRACT Division Of 694,875. 1311- 1968 Pat A process for the conversion of olefinic hydrocarbons N0, Continuation-impart 0f according to the olefin reaction including olefin dis- 635,656, y i967, abandonedproportionation by contacting the olefinic hydrocarbon with a catalyst comprising a compound of vanadiurn or niobium complexed with NO and a selected 260/654, 260/666 A, 260/668 R, 260/677 R, complexing agent (e.g., benzoic acid) and combined 260/680 R with an organoaluminum compound (e.g., methylalu- [51] Int. Cl ..C07c 3/62 minum sesqui-chloride). The metal complexes which [58] Field of Search..260/683, 666 A, 677, 680, 651, form a p of the catalysts are also claimed- [56] References Cited 10 Claims, No Drawings CONVERSION OF OLEFINS USING COMPLEXES OF V OR N CONTAINING NO WITHOORGANOALUMINUMS This application is a divisional of copending application Ser. No. 694,875, filed Jan. 2, 1968, now US. Pat. No. 3,562,178, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 635,656, filed May 3, 1967, now abandoned.

This invention relates to the conversion of olefin hydrocarbons and to a homogeneous catalyst for such conversion. In one aspect, this invention relates to the olefin reaction. In another aspect, it relates to the conversion of olefins to other. olefins having different molecular weights. In still another aspect, it relates to a homogeneous catalyst.

The term olefin reaction," as used herein, is defined as a process for the catalytic conversion in the presence of a catalyst of a feed comprising one or more ethylenically unsaturated compounds to produce a resulting product which contains at least ten per cent by weight of product compounds, which product compounds can be visualized as resulting from at least one primary reaction, as defined below, or the combination of at least one primary reaction and at least one unsaturated bond isomerization reaction, and wherein the sum of the compounds contained in said resulting product consisting of hydrogen, saturated hydrocarbons, and compounds which can be visualized as formed by skeletal isomerization but which cannot be visualized as formed by one or more of the above-noted reactions, comprises less than 25 per cent by weight of the total of said resulting product. Feed components and unsaturated bond isomers thereof are not included in the resulting product for the purpose of determining the above-noted percentages.

In the olefin reaction, as defined above, the primary reaction is a reaction which can be visualized as comprising the breaking of two existing unsaturated bonds between first and second carbon atoms and between third and fourth carbon atoms, respectively, and the formation of two new unsaturated bonds. Said first and second carbon atoms and said third and fourth carbon atoms can be in the same or different molecules.

The olefin reaction according to this invention is illustrated by the following reactions:

1. The disproportionation of an acyclic monoor polyene having at least three carbon atoms into other acyclic monoor polyenes of both higher and lower number of carbon atoms; for example, the disproportionation of propylene yields ethylene and butenes; the disproportionation of 1,5-hexadiene yields ethylene and 1,5,9-decatriene;

2. The conversion of an acyclic monoor polyene having three of more carbon atoms and a different acyclic monoor polyene having three or more carbon atoms to produce different acyclic olefins; for example, the conversion of propylene and isobutylene yields ethylene and isopentene;

3. The conversion of ethylene and an internal acyclic monoor polyene having four or more carbon atoms to produce other olefins having a lower number of carbon atoms than that of the acyclic mono or polyene; for example, the conversion of ethylene and 4-methylpentene-2 yields B-methyIbutene-l and propylene;

4. The conversion of ethylene or an acyclic monoor polyene having three or more carbon atoms and a cyclic monoor cyclic polyene to produce an acyclic polyene having a higher number of carbon atoms than that of any of the starting materials; for example, the conversion of cyclooctene and 2-pentene yields 2,10- tridecadiene; the conversion of 1,5-cyclooctadiene and ethylene yields 1,5,9-decatriene;

5. The conversion of one or more cyclic monoor cyclic polyenes to produce a cyclic polyene having a higher number of carbon atoms than any of the starting materials; for example, the conversion of cyclopentene yields l,6-cyclodecadiene and continued reaction can produce higher molecular weight materials;

6. The conversion of an acyclic polyene having at least seven carbon atoms and having at least five carbon atoms between any two double bonds to acyclic and cyclic monoand polyenes having a lower number of carbon atoms than that of the feed; for example, the conversion of l,7-octadiene yields cyclohexene and ethylene; or

7. The conversion of one or more acyclic polyenes having at least three carbon atoms between any two double bonds to produce acyclic and cyclic monoand polyenes generally having both a higher and lower number of carbon atoms than that of the feed material; for example, the conversion of l,4-pentadiene yields l,4-cyclohexadiene and ethylene.

New catalytic processes have been discovered in recent years for the conversion of olefins to other olefin products, including products of both higher and lower molecular weights whereby olefins of relatively low value are converted to olefins of increased value. Such conversions have heretofore been carried out using heterogeneous catalysts comprising compounds such as compounds of molybdenum or tungsten and generally associated with solid materials such as alumina or silica. It has now been found that these olefin conversions can be carried out in a substantially homogeneous state using, as catalysts, selected coordination complexes of niobium or vanadium in combination with aluminumcontaining catalytic adjuvants to produce olefins of increased value including solid products, for example, rubber suitable for the manufacture of tires, wire coating, footwear and other industrial products.

It is an object of this invention to provide a method and a catalyst for the conversion of olefin hydrocarbons. It is also an object of this invention to provide a catalyst for the conversion .of olefin hydrocarbons. A further object is to provide a homogeneous catalyst for the olefin reaction. Still another object is to provide a method for converting olefins to other olefins of higher and lower number of carbon atoms utilizing a homogeneous catalyst. The provisions of a homogeneous catalyst for converting olefins to other olefins of higher and lower number of carbon atoms is yet another object of the invention. Other aspects, objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to one skilled in the art upon study of the disclosure, including the detailed description of the invention.

According to the process of the invention, cyclic olefins, acyclic olefins, and mixtures of these, including mixtures with ethylene, are converted to other olefins by contact with a catalyst system, which forms on admixing, under catalyst formation conditions, components comprising a. metal complex represented by the formula [(L),,(NO),,M Zd] wherein M is niobium or vanadium; each 2 is a halogen, or a CN, SCN, OCN, or SnCl radical; each (L) is selected from R 00, 0, CO, [(RCO CH}, R-S-R, R NCSS), R (CN),,, R"(COO,,-), (R COR COO), a (CHR-CR-CH a is 1-6, b is l2, c is 1-4, d ix and the number of Z, (L), and NO groups in the complex is not greater than the number required for the metal to achieve the closed shell electronic configuration of the next higher atomic number inert gas; x is a number indicative of the polymeric state of the complex; R is an aromatic or saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon radical, including radicals which are substituted with groups which do not adversely effect the performance of the finished catalyst such as alkoxy and halo groups, having up to 20 carbon atoms; R is a divalent R radical; R is an aromatic, saturated aliphatic, or ethylenically unsaturated aliphatic radical having up to 30 carbon atoms; R is a divalent saturated or ethylenically unsaturated aliphatic radical having from 4 to carbon atoms; R is hydrogen or a methyl radical; and Q is phosphorus, arsenic or antimony; with b. an aluminum-containing catalytic adjuvant selected from (1) R AlX,, or (2) a mixture of 1) compounds, or (3) a mixture of one or more R AlX; or AlX compounds with one or more compounds represented by R' MX wherein R is an aromatic or saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon radical having up to carbon atoms, including alkoxy and halo derivatives thereof, preferably an alkyl radical having up to 10 carbon atoms; R is hydrogen or R; X is halogen; M is a metal of Group IA, IIA or LA; e is an integer from 1 to 3; fis 0 or an integer from 1 to 2, the sum of e andf being 3; g is an integer from 1 to 3; and h is 0 or an integer from 1 to 2, the sum ofg and h being equal to the valence of M. When the adjuvant is (l) and acyclic olefins are converted,fis preferably l or 2.

The Group IA, HA and [HA metals are those of the Periodic Table of Elements appearing in Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, Chemical Rubber Company, 45th edition (1964).

Some examples of compounds of (l) and (2) are methylaluminum dichloride, dimethylaluminum chloride, methylaluminum sesquichloride, ethyl-aluminum dichloride, ethylaluminum sesquichloride, di- (2-ethylhexyl) aluminum bromide, phenylaluminum dichloride, di(3-ethoxypropyl) aluminum bromide, benzyl-aluminum dibromide, dieicosylaluminum bromide, and the like, and mixtures thereof.

Some examples of the R',,M'X, compounds of (3) are phenyllithium, methylsodium, lithium hydride, lithium aluminum hydride, lithium borohydride, diethylzinc, dipropylzinc, triethylaluminum, trieicosylaluminum, di( l2-chlorododecyl)aluminum chloride, and the like, and mixtures thereof. Preferred (b) components of the catalyst system are the (l) or (2) adjuvants.

Metal complex (a) compounds can also be the products formed by the admixture, under complex forming conditions, of a suitable niobium or vanadium compound such as, for example, a halide, oxyhalide, carbonyl, or salt of an organic acid having up to 30 carbon atoms per molecule, or inorganic acid with NO or a nitrosyl halide and with one or more complexing agents 4 sglected from R 00, RCOCH COR, R"(CN) R-S-R, R 5 and compounds containing the radicals moss, (RCOO), R=coR coo'+, or cure CR-CH wherein Q, R, R R R R and b are as previously defined.

Some examples of suitable niobium or vanadium starting compounds are:

NbBr, VF NbCl" VF NbF, VOCI NbOBn, VOBr NbOCl VOBr, VBr VOBr VCI, V0:Cl VCI VOCl, VCl, VOCI,

and the like, and mixtures thereof.

Some examples of suitable complexing agents for the preparation of the metal (a) components of the catalyst system of the present invention are:

trieicosylstibine oxide S-acetobutyric acid tridecylphosphine oxide acetonitrile tri-p-tolylphosphine oxide butyronitrile acetic acid l,Z-cyclohexylenedinitrile propionic acid ethylenedinitrile butanoic acid acrylonitrile Z-methylpropionic acid pentanoic acid hexanoic acid octanoic acid 2,4-pentanedione l,3-diphenyll ,3-pentanedione 3 ,S-heptanedione 4-cyclohexyl-2,4-butanedione dodecanoic acid ethylsulfide hexadecanoic acid phenylsulfide octadecanoic acid methylethyl sulfide tricontanoic acid thiophene benzoic acid tetrahydrothiophene sodium diethyldithiocarbamate potassium dimethyldithiocarbamate Some examples of metal complex (a) components are:

NO-treated benzoic acid-treated NbCl NO-treated (tetrahydrothiophene)NbBr NO-treated (tetrahydrothiophene)NbCl NO-treated (dimethyldithiocarbamate),Nb

NOBr-treated (ethylenedinitrile)O V (acetate) NOCl-treated VO(lactate) N OI-treated (2,4-pentanedionate) O V NOCl-treated (2,4-pentanedionate triphenylphosphine oxide)V NOBr-treated l-phenyll ,3'butanedionate) V NO-treated (2,4-pentanedionate)OVCl NO-treated (acetatehVCi,

NOCl-treated (1r-allyl) V NOCl-treated (2,4-pentanedionate)- V NOBr-treated l-phenyl-l ,3-butanedionate) V (NO)V(CO)5 and the like, and mixtures thereof.

The formula [(L),,(NO),,M,Z,,,], is used herein to identify the product obtained by the admixture, under catalyst forming conditions, of the metal compound with one or more ligand-forming materials whether or not the components are present in the complex as indicated in the formula.

When the (a) component of the catalyst system is the product obtained by combining a niobium or vanadium compound with NO or a nitrosyl halide and with one or more ligand-forming materials, the molar proportion of transition metal salt to the selected ligand-former is preferably in the broad range of from about 0.121 to about :1, more preferably about 0.2:1 to 2:1. The products are obtained by combining these ingredients at any convenient temperature, however, excessively high temperatures at which some of the components tend to decompose or excessively low temperatures at which some of the components tend to crystallize or otherwise tend to become unreactive, should be avoided. Generally, it will be preferred to combine the components at a temperature in the range of from about 25 to about 130 C., more preferably 0 to about 60 C., for a time in the range of from a few seconds up to about 24 hours, preferably in the presence of a diluent in which the components of the reaction are at least partially soluble. Any convenient diluent such as carbon tetrachloride, methylene chloride, benzene, cyclohexane, xylene, iso-octane, chlorobenzene, and the like, can be used for this purpose. Any order of addition can be used. Such reaction product mixtures need not be isolated but can be used directly in the formation of the catalyst system. In general, the (a) component is fully prepared before contact is made with the (b) component or adjuvant.

The above-described (b) and (a) components of the catalyst system are generally combined, for use in this invention, in proportions in the range of from about 0.1:1 to about :1, preferably from about 1:1 to about 10:1 mols of the (b) component to mols of the (a) component. The catalyst is prepared simply by combining these catalyst components under conditions of time and temperature which permit the catalytically active reagent reaction product to form. This combination occurs very readily and, in general, the components can be mixed at any convenient temperature, avoiding excessively high or low temperatures as stated above, within the range of from about 80 to about 100 C., preferably 060 C., for a few seconds or for periods up to several hours in the presence of a diluent in which both the components are at least partially soluble. Any convenient diluent such as benzene, xylene, cyclohexane, chlorobenzene, methylene chloride, ethylene dichloride, and the like, can be used for this purpose. Halogenated diluents are generally preferred. The mixing of these two catalyst components is generally carried out in the substantial absence of air or moisture, generally in an inert atmosphere. After the catalytic mixture is formed, it need not be isolated but can be added directly to the reaction zone as a solution in its preparation solvent. If desired, the catalyst components can be separately added, in any order, to the reaction zone either in the presence or absence of the feed olefin.

Olefins applicable for use in the process of the invention are nontertiary, non-conjugated, acyclic monoand polyenes having at least three carbon atoms per molecule including cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl and aryl derivatives thereof; cyclic monoand polyenes having at least four carbon atoms per molecule including alkyl and aryl derivatives thereof, mixtures of the above olefins; and mixtures of ethylene and the above olefins.

Many useful reactions are accomplished with such cyclic olefins having 4-30 carbon atoms per molecule. Non-tertiary olefins are those wherein each carbon atom, which is attached to another carbon atom by means of a double bond, is also attached to a hydrogen atom.

Some specific examples of acyclic olefins suitable for reactions of this invention include propylene, 1-butene, 2-butene, l-pentene, Z-pentene, l-hexene, 1,4-hexadiene, 2-heptene, 4-methyl-2-octene, l-octene, 2,5- octadiene, 2-nonene, l-dodecene, Z-tetradecene, lhexadecene, 1-phenylbutene-2, 4-octene, 3-eicosene, 3-hexene, 1,4pentadiene, 1,4,7-dodecatriene, 4- methyl-4-octene, 4-vinylcyclohexene, 1,7-octadiene, 1,5-eicosadiene, 2-triacontene, 2,6-dodecadiene, 1,4,7, 10, l 3-octadecapentaene, 8-cyclopentyl-4,5- dimethyl-l-decene, 6,6-dimethyl-1,4-octadiene, and 3- heptene, and the like, and mixtures thereof.

Some specific examples of cyclic olefins suitable for the reactions of this invention are cyclobutene, cyclopentene, cycloheptene, cyclooctene, 5-n-propylcyclooctene, cyclodecene, cyclododecene, 5,5,4,4- tetramethylcyclononene, 3,4,S,6,7-pentaethylcyclodecene, 1,5-cyclooctadiene, 1,5 ,9- cyclododecatriene, 1,4,7,lO-cyclododecatetraene, 6- methyl-6-ethyl-cyclooctadiene-1,4 and the like, and mixtures thereof.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that not all olefinic materials will be converted by the present invention with equal effectiveness. The reactions described in the present invention are equilibrium-limited reactions and, barring the selective removal of one or more products from the reaction zone, the extent of conversion will depend upon the thermodynamics of the specification system observed. Thus, conversion of olefinic materials to give specific products can be thermodynamically favored while the reverse reaction is very slow and ineffective. For example, 1,7-octatriene is converted to equilibrium-favored products such as cyclohexene and ethylene. The reverse reaction of ethylene and cyclohexene, correspondingly, goes very poorly. Other well known factors, such as steric hindrance in bulky molecules, significantly and sometimes drastically affect the rates of reaction of some olefins such that extremely long reaction times are required.

The reaction of symmetrical monoolefins with themselves, to give different olefin products, will sometimes proceed very slowly, requiring some double bond migration to take place before the reaction will proceed at a significant rate. For the same reason, the conversion of a mixture of ethylene and a l-olefin for example can be more difficult than the conversion of ethylene with an internal olefin, some double bond isomerization also being required in this instance.

It has also been found that branching also retards the olefin reactivity in proportion to its propinquity to the reacting double bond. Analogously, the presence of inert polar substituents on the olefinic compound appears tolerable only if located some distance from the double bond.

Thus, the present invention is directed primarily to the conversion of those olefins or combination of olefins which are capable of undergoing the olefin reaction to a significant degree when contacted with the catalyst of the present invention under reaction conditions suitable for effecting the olefin reaction.

Presently preferred olefinic feed compounds are those contained in the following classes:

1. Acyclic monoolefins, including those with aryl, cycloalkyl, and cycloalkenyl substituents, having 3-20 carbon atoms per molecule with no branching closer than about the 3- position and no quaternary carbon atoms or aromatic substitution closer than the 4- position to the double bond, and mixtures of such unsubstituted acyclic monoolefins. Some examples of these are: propylene, pentene-l, pentene-2, butene-l, bu-

tene-2, 3-methylbutene-l hexene-Z, octene-4, nonene;

2, 4-methylpentene-l, decene-3, dodecene-4, vinylcyclohexane, eicosene-l and the like.

2. A mixture of ethylene and one or more acyclic unsubstituted internal monoolefins of l Some examples of such mixtures are: ethylene and butene-2, ethylene and pentene-2, ethylene and hexene-3, ethylene and heptene-3, ethylene and 4-methylpentene-2, ethylene and octene-4, ethylene and dodecene-4, and the like. 3. Acyclic, non-conjugated polyenes having from 5 to about 20 carbon atoms per molecule, containing from two to about four double bonds per molecule and having at least one double bond with no branching nearer than the 3- position and no quaternary carbon atom nearer than the 4- position to that double bond, or mixtures of such polyenes. Some examples are: l,4-pentadiene, l,5-hexadiene, 1,7-octadiene, 2,6-decadiene, 1,5,9-dodecatriene, 4-methylheptadiene-l ,6, 1,7-octadiene, 1,6-octadiene, and the like,

4. A mixture of ethylene and one or more acyclic polyenes of (3) which contain at least one internal double bond. Some examples are: ethylene and 1,6-octadiene, ethylene and 1,5-decadiene, and the like.

5. Cyclopentene.

6. Monocyclic and bicyclic monoolefins having 7 to 12 ring carbon atoms, including those substituted with up to 3 alkyl groups having up to about five carbon atoms, with no branching closer than the 3- position and with no quaternary carbon atoms closer than the 4- position to that double bond, and mixtures of such olefins including mixtures with Cyclopentene. Some examples are: cycloheptene, cyclooctene, 4-methylcyclooctene, 3-methyl-5-ethylcyclodecene, cyclononene, cyclododecene, norbornene, and the like.

7. A mixture of one or more of the monocyclic olefins of (6) with either ethylene or with one or more unsubstituted acyclic monoolefins of l Some examples of these are: ethylene and cycloheptene, ethylene and cyclo-octene, propylene and cyclodecene, pentene-2 and cyclooctene, ethylene and cyclododecene, and the like.

8. Monocyclic and bicyclic non-conjugated polyenes having from five to about 12 ring carbon atoms, including those substituted with up to three alkyl groups having up to about five carbon atoms each, having at least one double bond with no branching closer than the 3- position and with no quaternary carbon atoms closer than the 4- position to that double bond, and mixtures thereof. Some examples of these are: l,5-cyclooctadiene, l,5,9-cyclododecatriene, l,4-cycloheptadiene, norbornadiene, and the like.

8ethyldecene-2, 4-vinylcyclohexene,

9. A mixture of one or more monocyclic polyenes of (8) with one or more acyclic lolefins having from 2 to about 10 carbon atoms, having no branching nearer than the 3- position and no quaternary carbon atoms nearer than the 4-position to the double bond. Some examples of these are: l,5-cyclooctadiene and ethylene, 1,5 ,9-cyclododecatriene and ethylene, 1,5,9- cyclododecatriene and pentenel, and the like.

10. Polar group-substituted olefinic compounds of classes (1) through (9) containing from about 5 to about 20 carbon atoms per molecule in which the polar group, such as halogen atom, is sufficiently removed from the active double bond (generally, no nearer to the double bond than the 5 -position) so as not to interfere with the reaction, and mixtures with unsubstituted members of class (I). Some examples are: 5- chloropentene-l, a mixture of pentene-2 and 5- chloropentenel and the like.

According to the process of the invention, the conversion of the olefin or mixture of olefins can take place at any convenient temperature in the broad range of -30 to about 150 C., preferably 0 to C. The conversion can be carried out at any convenient pressure which is sufficient to maintain a liquid phase within the reaction zone. A diluent such as that used in the catalyst preparation or another inert solvent can be used in the reaction if desired. In general, any inert diluent which will maintain a substantially homogeneous reaction phase can be used. The time of contact will depend upon the desired degree of conversion with the specific feed olefins and the specific catalysts used but will, generally, be in the range of from about 0.l minute to about 20 hours, preferably 5 to minutes. The proportion of the catalyst composition to olefin feed in the reaction zone will generally be in the range of about 0.00l-l00 millimoles of niobium or vanadium per mole of olefin feed.

Any conventional contacting technique can be utilized for the olefin conversion and batchwise or continuous operation can be utilized. After the reaction period, the products can be separated and/or isolated by conventional means such as by fractionation, crystallization, adsorption, and the like. Unconverted feed materials or products not in the desired molecular weight range can be recycled. If desired, the catalyst can be destroyed by treatment with sufficient water or alcohol to deactivate the catalyst prior to the separation of the products. In some cases, the catalyst which is separated from the products can be recycled to the reaction zone for additional use.

The invention can be further illustrated by the following example.

EXAMPLE lowed to react at room temperature, with stirring, for 30 minutes.

Butenes Pentenes Hexenes Some heavier polymeric material was also obtained.

In the practice of the process of this invention, the feed olefins, catalysts and operating conditions disclosed include combinations wherein solid, rubbery materials are produced; for example, if a propylene feed and a suitable aluminum-containing adjuvant such as methylaluminum sesquihalide or methylaluminum dihalide are used a solid, rubbery material is produced having characteristics of ethylene-propylene rubber. This rubbery material is useful in the manufacture of tires, wire coating, footwear and other industrial products.

The homogeneous catalysts of this invention can be deposited upon a suitable support or carrier and used in the olefin reaction, preferably where the olefin feed is in the vapor phase. Catalyst supports include solid, inorganic or organic materials conventionally used as catalyst supports or carriers such as silica, alumina, silica-alumina, titania, boria, zeolites, ion exchange resins, solid polymers containing functional groups such as those prepared by the polymerization of 4- vinylpyridine, vinyl dimethylphosphine, and the like.

The support can be impregnated with the homogeneous catalyst by wetting the support with a solution of the catalyst in a solvent which is then evaporated. Among solvents suitable are relatively low-boiling organic solvents such as pentane, methylene chloride, cyclohexane, and the like. The amount of homogeneous catalyst added to the support will be from 0.] to about 30 weight per cent of the total of the catalyst and support. If the support is to be activated by calcination, it is usually activated prior to the impregnation step.

Impregnation and evaporation conditions in preparing the catalyst are conventional, being carried out at temperatures up to about 150 C. Operating conditions in carrying out the olefin reaction are the same for the supported and the nonsupported homogeneous catalyst systems.

That which is claimed is:

l. A process for the conversion of olefins selected from the group consisting of nontertiary, nonconjugated, acyclic monoand polyenes having at least three carbon atoms per molecule, including cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl and aryl derivatives thereof; cyclic monoand polyenes having at least four carbon atoms per molecule and including alkyl and aryl derivatives thereof; mixtures of the above olefins, or mixtures of ethylene and the above olefins, said conversion being in accordance with the olefin reaction which, as defined herein, can be visualized as comprising the reaction between two first pairs of carbon atoms, the two carbon atoms of each first pair being connected by an olefinic double bond, to form two new pairs from the carbon atoms of said first pairs, the two carbon atoms of each of said new pairs being connected by an olefinic double bond, by contacting said olefins with a catalyst consisting essentially of a. a metal complex represented by the formula [(L),,(NO)DMCZ,I] wherein M is niobium or vanadium; each Z is a halogen, CN, SCN, OCN, or SnCl radical; each (L) is a ligand represented by the formula R 00, 0, CO, [(RCO CH], R-S- R, (R NCSS--), R (CN),,, R (COO-) (R COR C 00+,@ or (CHR-CR-Cl-l a is 1-6, b is 1-2, c is l-4, d is 0-6, and the number of Z, (L), and NO groups in the complex is not greater than the number required for the metal to achieve the closed shell electronic configuration of the next higher atomic number inert gas; x is the number of the polymeric state of the complex; R is an aromatic or saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon radical having up to 20 carbon atoms per molecule including alkoxy and halo derivatives thereof; R is a divalent R radical; R is a divalent saturated or ethylenically unsaturated aliphatic radical having from four to 10 carbon atoms; R is hydrogen or a methyl radical; R is an aromatic, saturated aliphatic, or ethylenically unsaturated aliphatic radical having up to 30 carbon atoms; and Q is phosphorus, arsenic or antimony; with an aluminum-containing catalytic adjuvant which is l. R AlX or 2. a mixture of l compounds, or 3. a mixture of one or more R AlX; or AlX compounds with one or more components represented by R',M'X,., wherein R is as defined above; R is hydrogen or R; X is halogen; M is a metal of Group l-A, II- A or Ill-A; e is an integer from 1 to 3;fis O or an integer from 1 to 2, the sum ofe andfbeing 3; g is an integer from 1 to 3; and h is O or an integer from 1 to 2, the sum of g and h being equal to the valence of M. 20. The process of claim 1 wherein the catalyst is formed upon admixture of a. a niobium or vanadium halide, oxyhalide, carbonyl, cyanide, thiocyanate, cyanate, trichlorostannate, or a salt of a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid having up to 30 carbon atoms per molecule, with NO or a nitrosyl halide and with one or more complexing agents capable of complexing with said metal represented by the form ula: R 00; RCOCH COR; R (CN),,; R-S-R; 3 alkali metal dihydrocarbyldithiocarbamates; acids of the formula R (COO-H),,; or ketoacids of the formula R COR COOH; wherein R is an aromatic or saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon radical having up to 20 carbon atoms including alkoxy and halo derivatives thereof, R is a divalent R radical, R is a divalent saturated or ethylenically unsaturated aliphatic radical having 4 to 10 carbon atoms, R is an aromatic, saturated aliphatic, or ethylenically unsaturated aliphatic radical having up to 30 carbon atoms, Q is phosphorus, arsenic or antimony,

and b is an integer from 1 to 2; and

. an aluminum-containing adjuvant which is a compound represented by the formula I. R AIX 2. a mixture of l compounds, or

3. a mixture of one or more R Alx, or AlX compounds with one or more compounds represented by R',M'X,,,

wherein R is as defined above; R is hydrogen or R; X is halogen; M is a metal of Group l-A, ll-A, or Ill-A; e is an integer from 1 to 3; f is or an integer from 1 to 2, the sum of e and f being 3; g is an integer from 1 to 3; and h is O or an integer from 1 to 2, the sum of g and h being equal to the valence of M.

3. A process according to claim 1 wherein the olefin hydrocarbon is selected from the group consisting of l. acyclic monoolefins, including those with aryl, cycloalkyl, and cycloalkenyl substituents, having three to about 20 carbon atoms per molecule, with no branching closer to the double bond than the 3- position and no quaternary carbon atom or aromatic substitution closer to the double bond than the 4-position, and mixtures of such unsubstituted acyclic monoolefins;

2. a mixture of ethylene and one or more acyclic, un-

substituted, internal monoolefins of l 3. acyclic, nonconjugated polyenes having 5 to about carbon atoms per molecule, containing two to about four double bonds per molecule and having at least one double bond with no branching nearer to it than the 3-position and no quaternary carbon atom nearer to it than the 4-position, and mixtures of such polyenes;

4. a mixture of ethylene and one or more acyclic polyenes of (3) which contains at least one internal double bond;

. cyclopentene;

6. cyclic and bicyclic monoolefins having 7 to about 12 ring carbon atoms, including those substituted with up to three alkyl groups having up to about five carbon atoms each with no branching closer to the double bond than the 3-position and with no quaternary carbon atoms closer to the double bond than the 4-position;

7. a mixture of one or more monocyclic olefins of(6) with ethylene or with one or more unsubstituted, acyclic monoolefin of( l 8. cyclic and bicyclic nonconjugated polyenes having 5 to about 12 ring carbon atoms including those substituted with up to three alkyl groups having up to five carbons each, with at least one of the double bonds having no branching closer than the 3- position and no quaternary carbon atom closer than the 4-position;

LII

9. a mixture of one or more monocyclic polyenes of (8) with one or more acyclic l-olefins having from two to about 10 carbon atoms with no branching closer to the double bond than the 3-position and no quaternary carbon atom closer to the double bond than the 4-position;

10. polar groupsubstituted olefinic compounds of classes (1) through (9) containing from bout five to 20 carbon atoms per molecule in which the polar group is no closer to the double bond than the 5-position, and mixtures with unsubstituted members of l 4. The process of claim 1 wherein (a) is prepared by treating NbCl with benzoic acid and NO and (b) is methylaluminum sesquichloride.

5. The process of claim 1 wherein the conversion according to the olefin reaction, as defined herein, can be visualized a com rising the reactio between two first pairs of car on a oms, the two car on atoms of each first pair being connected by an olefinic double bond, to form two new pairs from the carbon atoms of said first pairs, the two carbon atoms of each said new pairs being connected by an olefinic double bond.

6. The process of claim 1 wherein the molar ratio of the (b) component of the a catalyst to the (a) component of the catalyst is in the range of from about 0.111 to about 20:1.

7. The process of claim 1 wherein the conditions for the olefin reaction include a temperature in the range of from about 30 to about C., a pressure which is sufficient to maintain the liquid phase, a time of contact in the range of from 0.1 to about hours, and a ratio of catalyst composition to olefin feed of from about 0.001 to 100 millimoles of niobium or vanadium metal for each mole of olefin feed.

8. The process of claim 1 wherein the conversion is accomplished in the presence of an inert diluent in which both of the (a) and (b) components of the catalyst are at least partially soluble.

9. The process of claim 1 wherein the catalyst further includes a solid inorganic or organic support or carrier selected from the group consisting of silica, alumina, silica-alumina, titania, boria, zeolites, ion exchange resins, a solid polymer of 4-vinylpyridine and a solid polymer of vinyl dimethylphosphine.

10. The process of claim 1 wherein the feed olefin hydrocarbon is pentene-Z or heptene-Z.

Patent N00 3,691,253 mama: September 12, 1972 William B. Hughes; Ernest A Zuech It is oertifiod 'thab orror appoars in than above-identified patent ond that said.

letters Patomt are heamhy oormowd as :shown below:

Title am Abstract page: delet "CONVERSION OF OIEFINS USING COWS OF V "0R NB CONTAINING NO. WITH ORGANOAEMINUM3" and insert GONVERSIQN OF OIEFETS USING COB [PIECES 0F V OR Nb CGNTAINNG NO WITH OHGANOADJMINUMS --5 ,Assignee: Phillipg Petroleum Company should be inserted; Colunm 1,.1ines 1-3, delete "GDNVESION OF OLEFIINS USING COMP 0F V 0R N CONTAINING N0 WITHOORGANOAHJMINUMS" and insert CONVERSION OF OIEFINS USING CGMPLWS 0F V OR Nb 'GONTAINNG N0 W131 ORGANOAIUMINUMS Column 10, line 5, delete *'(crm -cR +-cH and insert (QIE 52g line? delete components and; insert compounds ----5 line 38, delete 20.." and insert 2. 601mm 11, line 9, deletes "hydrocarbon Signed and sealed this 10th day of Jul 1975.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.F,LETCHER,JR. I Rene Tegtmeyer Q 'Att es'ting Officer Acting Commissioner 'of Patents 

2. a mixture of ethylene and one or more acyclic, unsubstituted, internal monoolefins of (1);
 2. a mixture of (1) compounds, or
 3. a mixture of one or more ReAlXf or AlX3 compounds with one or more components represented by R''gM'' Xh, wherein R is as defined above; R'' is hydrogen or R; X is halogen; M'' is a metal of Group I-A, II-A or III-A; e is an integer from 1 to 3; f is 0 or an integer from 1 to 2, the sum of e and f being 3; g is an integer from 1 to 3; and h is 0 or an integer from 1 to 2, the sum of g and h being equal to the valence of M''.
 3. a mixture of one or more ReAlXf or AlX3 compounds with one or more compounds represented by R''gM''Xh, wherein R is as defined above; R'' is hydrogen or R; X is halogen; M'' is a metal of Group I-A, II-A, or III-A; e is an integer from 1 to 3; f is 0 or an integer from 1 to 2, the sum of e and f being 3; g is an integer from 1 to 3; and h is 0 or an integer from 1 to 2, the sum of g and h being equal to the valence of M''.
 3. A process according to claim 1 wherein the olefin hydrocarbon is selected from the group consisting of
 3. acyclic, nonconjugated polyenes having 5 to about 20 carbon atoms per molecule, containing two to about four double bonds per molecule and having at least one double bond with no branching nearer to it than the 3-position and no quaternary carbon atom nearer to it than the 4-position, and mixtures of such polyenes;
 4. a mixture of ethylene and one or more acyclic polyenes of (3) which contains at least one internal double bond;
 4. The process of claim 1 wherein (a) is prepared by treating NbCl5 with benzoic acid and NO and (b) is methylaluminum sesquichloride.
 5. The process of claim 1 wherein the conversion according to the olefin reaction, as defined herein, can be visualized as comprising the reaction between two first pairs of carbon atoms, the two carbon atoms of each first pair being connected by an olefinic double bond, to form two new pairs from the carbon atoms of said first pairs, the two carbon atoms of each said new pairs being connected by an olefinic double bond.
 5. cyclopentene;
 6. cyclic and bicyclic monoolefins having 7 to about 12 ring carbon atoms, including those substituted with up to three alkyl groups having up to about five carbon atoms each with no branching closer to the double bond than the 3-position and with no quaternary carbon atoms closer to the double bond than the 4-position;
 6. The process of claim 1 wherein the molar ratio of the (b) component of the a catalyst to the (a) component of the catalyst is in the range of from about 0.1:1 to abouT 20:1.
 7. The process of claim 1 wherein the conditions for the olefin reaction include a temperature in the range of from about -30* to about 75* C., a pressure which is sufficient to maintain the liquid phase, a time of contact in the range of from 0.1 to about 100 hours, and a ratio of catalyst composition to olefin feed of from about 0.001 to 100 millimoles of niobium or vanadium metal for each mole of olefin feed.
 7. a mixture of one or more monocyclic olefins of (6) with ethylene or with one or more unsubstituted, acyclic monoolefin of (1);
 8. cyclic and bicyclic nonconjugated polyenes having 5 to about 12 ring carbon atoms including those substituted with up to three alkyl groups having up to five carbons each, with at least one of the double bonds having no branching closer than the 3-position and no quaternary carbon atom closer than the 4-position;
 8. The process of claim 1 wherein the conversion is accomplished in the presence of an inert diluent in which both of the (a) and (b) components of the catalyst are at least partially soluble.
 9. The process of claim 1 wherein the catalyst further includes a solid inorganic or organic support or carrier selected from the group consisting of silica, alumina, silica-alumina, titania, boria, zeolites, ion exchange resins, a solid polymer of 4-vinylpyridine and a solid polymer of vinyl dimethylphosphine.
 9. a mixture of one or more monocyclic polyenes of (8) with one or more acyclic 1-olefins having from two to about 10 carbon atoms with no branching closer to the double bond than the 3-position and no quaternary carbon atom closer to the double bond than the 4-position;
 10. polar group-substituted olefinic compounds of classes (1) through (9) containing from bout five to 20 carbon atoms per molecule in which the polar group is no closer to the double bond than the 5-position, and mixtures with unsubstituted members of (1).
 10. The process of claim 1 wherein the feed olefin hydrocarbon is pentene-2 or heptene-2.
 20. The process of claim 1 wherein the catalyst is formed upon admixture of a. a niobium or vanadium halide, oxyhalide, carbonyl, cyanide, thiocyanate, cyanate, trichlorostannate, or a salt of a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid having up to 30 carbon atoms per molecule, with NO or a nitrosyl halide and with one or more complexing agents capable of complexing with said metal represented by the formula: R3QO; RCOCH2COR; R3(CN)b; R-S-R; R3 S; alkali metal dihydrocarbyldithiocarbamates; acids of the formula R5(COOH)b; or ketoacids of the formula R5COR2COOH; wherein R is an aromatic or saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon radical having up to 20 carbon atoms including alkoxy and halo derivatives thereof, R2 is a divalent R radical, R3 is a divalent saturated or ethylenically unsaturated aliphatic radical having 4 to 10 carbon atoms, R5 is an aromatic, saturated aliphatic, or ethylenically unsaturated aliphatic radical having up to 30 carbon atoms, Q is phosphorus, arsenic or antimony, and b is an integer from 1 to 2; and b. an aluminum-containing adjuvant which is a compound represented by the formula 